It's easy for lawmakers to say they want to be tough on crime. It can be a lot more difficult to decide how tough they want to be. In an effort to crack down on gun-related crime in Delaware, House Speaker Terry Spence, R-Stratford, last year proposed drastically ratcheting up penalties for use of a firearm during the commission of a serious crime. Under current law, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony carries a minimum mandatory sentence of... (GunPolicy.org)

Suppose a member of your family is threatened by a gunman who, in fleeing from the police, drops the weapon he purchased at a pawnshop or flea market three months ago. It would be a simple matter for law enforcement to trace him through the computer records of firearm sales that are kept for just such a purpose. But tracing soon would be illegal, under a bill that has shot through the House and Senate. House Bill 155 would prohibit individuals and government agencies... (GunPolicy.org)

PITTSBURGH — In touting its selection of the Steel City for its 133rd annual convention, the National Rifle Association talks up the region's strong membership and Pennsylvania's rich hunting traditions. But it also is rallying support to keep President George Bush in office. "Pennsylvania is going to be a battleground state again. We certainly will be working to activate our base," NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said. At last year's convention in Orlando,... (GunPolicy.org)

The police have beefed up their deployments for the Passover holiday, which started Monday night, as all the security services move to boost the already high state of alert. Aharonishki on Sunday ordered the police to remain at the level of vigilance that has been in place since the assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin last month. Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz warned at Sunday's cabinet meeting that, "Terror organizations, in particular Hamas, will make... (GunPolicy.org)

CHICAGO — The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Sunday that one way to honor the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is to renew the federal ban on assault weapons. "A shot rang out from a high-powered rifle and Father King was killed," Jackson said during a vigil and rally in downtown Chicago. The federal ban on manufacturing and importing at least 19 types of military-style assault weapons expires Sept. 13. Congress must renew it and President Bush must sign it if it... (GunPolicy.org)

A bill passed by the state Legislature that allows gun dealers to open shops in their homes has some local officials up in arms. "How could anybody in their right mind think it was appropriate for a gun shop to open up in a neighborhood?" said Bellevue City Councilman Tom Ratterman. The legislation, which exempts gun businesses from most zoning laws, sailed through both houses of the General Assembly last week, passing by a 77-17 vote in the House and a 34-4 margin... (GunPolicy.org)

Disturbingly, West Virginia is a place where a mental defective can have 55 guns and 47,000 bullets, and never be noticed until he's accused of shooting at someone. That ominous fact is clear in the current federal case against Brian Caldwell, 46, of Winifrede. Here are details that have emerged: In 1999, a mental-hygiene commissioner ruled that Caldwell "suffers from severe depression and paranoia to the extent that he is unable to independently manage any aspect of... (GunPolicy.org)